Could Augusta ever host an LPGA tournament?

WILLIAMSBURG — Mike Whan played Augusta National twice during the late 1990s. Shot 80 the second time, from the tips. Not bad for an 8-handicapper.

Will the LPGA Tour that Whan directs ever play a tournament at this country's — the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland rules overseas — most regal and renowned layout?

Given Augusta's history as an all-male club, the question has been asked often. But last month the equation changed as Augusta National admitted its first female members: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore.

Whan was encouraged by the news. He's been the LPGA's commissioner since January 2010, and in the two-plus years since has reached out to Augusta National more than once.

"Well, let's just say that the fact that we don't have (a tournament there) is not for a lack of Mike Whan's asking," he said as the tour prepared for this week's Kingsmill Championship. "I (was) on a pretty good annual ask plan with Augusta National, well before I knew who Darla Moore was."

Augusta is home to the Masters, the PGA Tour's annual rite of spring and the year's first major championship. From the azaleas to Amen Corner, from Rae's Creek to Jim Nantz's hushed tones, few sporting events or venues receive the Masters' fawning press.

The club's exclusivity has drawn plenty of ire — Google Martha Burk for evidence — but its pace of change is, to be charitable, glacial.

An LPGA event there, with a retired tour icon such as Nancy Lopez striking the ceremonial first tee shot, would benefit all parties concerned — if the affection were mutual and genuine.

"It would be great, but it's their course, their rules," Hall of Famer Juli Inkster said Wednesday. "That's up to them. I only want to play if we're wanted. I don't want to play because they have to (let us). That's kind of the way I've always felt."

Like Inkster, LPGA veteran Sophie Gustafson has visited Augusta during Masters week but never played Robert Trent Jones' classic track.

"I think it would be great," she said, "but I don't think that's ever going to happen."

Gustafson believes the club is too entrenched in its ways. She also cautioned about what a women's tournament might bring.

"We would very much be compared to the guys," Gustafson said. "The men are playing 100 yards farther back this hole, for example, and the greens aren't as fast as when the men are playing."

Fair enough, but the comparisons might be worth the hassle. If scheduled properly — two tournaments in a year would be challenging — the LPGA at Augusta would generate unprecedented publicity.

"I think it would be cool," said Cristie Kerr, a two-time winner at Kingsmill. "Do I ever think it will happen? No. They have the Masters. That's the tournament they have and that's the tournament they'll always have. …

"They're very inviting to women, but the Masters is their thing, and I just don't think they'll open it up to a women's tournament."

Kerr played Augusta a year or two ago — she's unsure of the date — at the invitation of a friend, club member David Dorman.

"I think I shot even," Kerr said. "Played pretty well. I was messing around with putters. It's a great place."

"I'm not in any rush there," Whan said. "I've really got very limited experience with Augusta National, but the ones I've got have been unbelievably positive. They write us a very significant check on an annual basis to help us with our program with the USGA (United States Golf Association) called Girls Golf, which gets tens of thousands of (girls) started in the right way.

"So I see Augusta National as a huge proponent of the growth of the game, including women. … They certainly put their money where their mouth is as it relates to growing the game."

Whan played there when he worked for Taylor Made, a golf equipment manufacturer. As a former greens cutter and caddie, and as a golf historian, he appreciated the experience as soon as drove up Magnolia Lane.

"I think it's maybe the greatest track in the game worldwide," he said. "Would our players love to walk up that 18th fairway? Of course they would. Maybe it never happens, but I don't think they're offended by the fact that I ask once a year."

David Teel can be reached at 247-4636 or by e-mail at dteel@dailypress.com. For more from Teel, read his blog at dailypress.com/sports/teeltime and follow him at twitter.com/DavidTeelatDP